Video: Performing individual transforms across multiple objects

As we have been learning how to use the Transformation tools inside of Illustrator, we've become familiar with setting an origin point, which is the exact point that all these transforms begin from. However, there are many situations when using Illustrator, where a single origin point simply doesn't work for you. For example, take a look at all these icons that I have here at the bottom of my page. I am going to go ahead now and click and drag to select them all, each of them happens to be their own groups. So I have six different group selected right now and maybe I want to rotate all these icons 45 degrees.

In Illustrator CS5 Essential Training, author Mordy Golding explains the core concepts and techniques that apply to any workflow in Illustrator, whether designing for print, the web, or assets for other applications. This course includes a detailed explanation of the elements that make up vector graphics—paths, strokes, and fills—and shows how to use each of the Illustrator drawing tools. Also demonstrated are techniques for combining and cleaning up paths, organizing paths into groups and layers, text editing, working with color, effects, and much more. Exercise files accompany the course.

Performing individual transforms across multiple objects

As we have been learning how to use the Transformation tools inside ofIllustrator, we've become familiar with setting an origin point, which is theexact point that all these transforms begin from.However, there are many situations when using Illustrator, where a single originpoint simply doesn't work for you.For example, take a look at all these icons that I have here at the bottom of my page.I am going to go ahead now and click and drag to select them all, each of themhappens to be their own groups.So I have six different group selected right now and maybe I want to rotate allthese icons 45 degrees.

However, watch what happens when I double -click on the Rotate tool and I specifyan angle of 45 degrees.When I do so, it's as if all those objects are now one object, and I rotated allof them 45 degrees. Well, that's not really what I wanted.I want each of them on their own to rotate 45 degrees, so that they all remaininside of that nice background.Well, I am going to press Undo and instead of using the Rotate tool, I'm nowgoing to come up to the Object menu.I am going to choose Transform, and then I am going to choose Transform Each.

This basically treats each group as its own object and each object also gets itsown origin point based on the setting that I choose here with this proxy.Now you'll notice over here that when I apply a Transform Each, I can actuallyperform more than just one transformation.In a single dialog box, I can adjust Scale, Move and also Rotate.I can even reflect the artwork along the X or Y axis.For now, I want to leave the origin point set to the center, but again,remember this means that each object inside of my selection, or in this case,here since I am working with groups, each group inside of my selection willenjoy its own origin point.

So I am going to set my Scale value to 100% and 100% to both Horizontal andVertical, but for the Angle over here for Rotate, I am going to change that to 45 degrees.Hit the Tab key to see what that looks like, and now I get the result that I have wanted.Each icon on its own rotates at 45 degrees, and this is what the Transform Eachcommand does very well.

Q: Despite clicking the rectangle icon on the toolbar, as shown in the video, the other tool shapes are not accessible in Illustrator. The rectangle is usable, but the star, ellipse, etc. are not, and do not appear anywhere in the toolbar. What is causing this problem?

A: These tools are grouped together, so to access them, click and hold the mouse for a second until the other tools appear. If that isn't happening, reset the Illustrator preferences file. To do so, quit Illustrator and then relaunch the application while pressing and holding the Ctrl+Alt+Shift keys. Once the Illustrator splash screen appears, release the keys and that will reset the preferences file.

Q: In the video “What are vector graphics,” the author states that if he creates a 1 inch x 1 inch Photoshop file at 300ppi image, there are 300 pixels in that image. Is that correct?

A: This statement is by the author was not totally correct. If the resolution is 300ppi, it means that there are 300 pixels across one inch, both vertically and horizontally. That would mean you'd have 90,000 pixels in a 1 inch x 1 inch image at 300 ppi.

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Learn by watching, listening, and doing, Exercise files are the same files the author uses in the course, so you can download them and follow along Premium memberships include access to all exercise files in the library.

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Learn by watching, listening, and doing! Exercise files are the same files the author uses in the course, so you can download them and follow along. Exercise files are available with all Premium memberships.
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